Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-24

The contestants had TO draw by lot. The
thesis which fell 10 the future pon'lil
was. strangely enough, entitled "lmme-
date Appeals to the Roman Pontih IN
Person" Ills preparatory studies were
now completed, and after the usual ex,
nmiuetions had been successfully passed
bv him he received the degree OF doctor
in civil and canon law. He was just en-
tering upon his twenty-eighth year, the
ordinary age for receiving holy orders:
On March 1eth be was appointed
referendary TO the Court OF Segnatura'
an appointment indicating mat the
Pope and his counsellors had discovered
in the Young doctor administrative talent
of a high order. This was made still
further manifest Try his being gwen
place among the prelates OF the CoHyre,,
0GfiO III BVangOgcrno, specially charged
with the financial administrator OF ali
the comn~-.es of the papal States. No
vember 18th Of the same year he re,
ceiyed the order of sub.deaconship and
tleaconship at the hands OF Cardinal
Odpscalchi. the Pope's vicar.general, III
the little chapel of st. Stanlsias hostka
in the gem-like church OF st. Andrew,
on the Quirinal
Cardinal Sala. who had become greatly
attached to young Pecci, and knew ms
wishes to devote himself to the service
OF the Holy See, had taken pains to
have him attached TO the great congre-
CATION of the propaganda Of bishops
and regulars and of the councils Pope
Gregory XVI, in February, 1888, APP
pointed him delegate or Governor OF the
province OF Benevento, with instructions
TO repair without delay 10 his Govern
ment. Monsignor Pecci was recalled TO
Rome from his Government IN
May, 1S4l, and was Immediately
appointed delegate Of Spalete. lie at
once entered upon the duties OF his
new Office and remained in 1t until Jan
uary, 1913. when he was chosen by
Gregory XVI. apostolic nuncIo at the
court of Brussels. On the 9th OF the
same month the Pope nominated him to
the dignity of Archbishop of Damita.
His episcopal conservation took place
February 18th in the ancient church OF
San Lorenzo. in Panisperna. A month
later the Archbishop Nuncio set out for
his new field of labor. He was recalled
from Brussels in 1915 TO be transferred
to Perugia, of which he was made
bishop. A few months afterward
he was sent TO London and Paris
TO study the social systems OF both
England and France, aud also to con
duct some delicate diplomatic service.
The death Of Gregory XVI, which oc-
Cured in May, 1916. recalled him to
Rome. lie Immediately, after the eie-
walton OF Plus TX. to the papacy, re-
turned to his episcopate in Perugia,
where he remained from 1916 to 1913.
Plus X, mindful OF the services rem
dered by Monsignor Pecci to the Holy
See in The charges which he had held,
resolved to precognize him in the CON
sistory OF December. 1855, assigning TO
him the presbyterial title Of St. Chry-
sogonus and bestowing upon him a
carlinalate.
Upon the death OF Pope Plus *,
January 7, 1873, the Sacred College was
summoned TO assemble at Rome to choose
his successor. The college formally
met in concave Tuesday, February IL,
1878. The first days balloting resulted
without choice, but on the second day
Cardinal Pecci was elected TO the See OF
St. Peter, assuming the name Of Leo
XIII.